Cobb Chairman-Elect Mike Boyce To Focus On Open Government

Boyce said one reason he beat outgoing Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee is because of how Lee handled the contract for the new Atlanta Braves Stadium.

Lee’s critics said the deal was not transparent and lacked public input. 

But Boyce said, the contract is a done deal and the county needs to move forward.

“It’s not just the stadium,” Boyce said. “I’m more concerned about Battery Park being a success, because it’s there 365 days a year. It’s going to have businesses that are going to bring jobs, it’s going to transform the U.S. Highway 41 corridor. I’m committed to making it a success.”

Boyce said he wants to work on a plan to deal with the consequences — like traffic — of hosting a major league baseball team in Cobb County.  

Sixty-eight-year-old East Cobb resident Rex Harper voted for Boyce. He said he has been living in the county for more than 30 years and the Braves Deal was “the last straw” for him and others who wanted a change in the county.

“The Braves deal wasn’t the only issue,” Harper said. “There’s just rampant development, the police force is not what it used to be, misuse of zoning plans and all of that was preceding the Braves deal.”

Boyce also said he plans to do a review of the county’s public safety department and wants to fund a $40 million park bond voters approved in 2008.

Jennifer Burke, of the Cobb Parks Coalition, which has been pushing for full funding of the 2008 Park Bond, said she is optimistic Cobb County will fund the park bond before Boyce takes office in January.